How much does it cost to run an electric baseboard heater?
An electric baseboard heater costs about 13¢ per hour, $1.62 a day, $49.28 a month and $246 a year at typical use (12 hours a day for 5 months a year) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. Baseboard heaters draw about 250 W per foot of length. Figures are per heater; a whole house heated with baseboards typically has 6-12 of them and uses 6,000-15,000 kWh a winter.
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Cost by setting
| Setting | Watts | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 ft (1,000 W) | 1,000 | 9.0¢ | $1.08 | $32.85 | $164 |
| 6 ft (1,500 W) | 1,500 | 13¢ | $1.62 | $49.28 | $246 |
| 8 ft (2,000 W) | 2,000 | 18¢ | $2.16 | $65.71 | $329 |
At 12 hours a day for 5 months a year and 17.99¢/kWh.
Cost by hours of use
| Hours per day | kWh/day | Per day | Per month | Per year (all year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | 0.75 | 13¢ | $4.11 | $49 |
| 2 hours | 1.50 | 27¢ | $8.21 | $99 |
| 4 hours | 3.00 | 54¢ | $16.43 | $197 |
| 8 hours | 6.00 | $1.08 | $32.85 | $394 |
| 12 hours | 9.00 | $1.62 | $49.28 | $591 |
| 24 hours | 18.00 | $3.24 | $98.56 | $1,183 |
Cost to run an electric baseboard heater in every state
The same electric baseboard heater costs $169 a year in North Dakota and $596 in Hawaii, at each state's average residential rate (12 months ending July 2026).
| State | Rate | Per hour | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | 12.32¢ | 9.2¢ | $33.75 | $169 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 9.5¢ | $34.65 | $173 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 9.6¢ | $35.23 | $176 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 9.7¢ | $35.58 | $178 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 10.0¢ | $36.49 | $182 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 10¢ | $36.60 | $183 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 10¢ | $36.79 | $184 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 10¢ | $37.15 | $186 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 10¢ | $37.53 | $188 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 10¢ | $37.91 | $190 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 10¢ | $38.13 | $191 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 10¢ | $38.21 | $191 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 11¢ | $38.38 | $192 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 11¢ | $38.68 | $193 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 11¢ | $38.71 | $194 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 11¢ | $38.90 | $194 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 11¢ | $40.46 | $202 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 11¢ | $40.46 | $202 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 11¢ | $41.34 | $207 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 11¢ | $41.42 | $207 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 11¢ | $41.97 | $210 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 12¢ | $42.16 | $211 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 12¢ | $42.19 | $211 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 12¢ | $42.41 | $212 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 12¢ | $42.46 | $212 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 12¢ | $42.84 | $214 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 12¢ | $43.72 | $219 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 12¢ | $44.43 | $222 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 12¢ | $45.04 | $225 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 12¢ | $45.14 | $226 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 12¢ | $45.42 | $227 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 13¢ | $46.41 | $232 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 13¢ | $48.73 | $244 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 14¢ | $49.99 | $250 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 14¢ | $51.34 | $257 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 14¢ | $51.47 | $257 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 16¢ | $56.71 | $284 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 16¢ | $57.61 | $288 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 16¢ | $57.66 | $288 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 18¢ | $65.14 | $326 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 18¢ | $65.20 | $326 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 18¢ | $66.29 | $331 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 20¢ | $73.06 | $365 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 20¢ | $73.55 | $368 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 21¢ | $76.68 | $383 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 21¢ | $77.77 | $389 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 22¢ | $80.18 | $401 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 22¢ | $80.29 | $401 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 23¢ | $83.36 | $417 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 25¢ | $90.37 | $452 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 33¢ | $119 | $596 |
How to cut the cost
- Replace old bimetal wall thermostats with electronic line-voltage thermostats; they hold temperature within 1°F instead of 3-4°F and typically cut use 5-10%.
- Set back unused rooms to 55-60°F and close their doors.
- Keep furniture and curtains at least 6-12 inches away so convection airflow is not blocked.
- Vacuum the fins each fall; dust reduces heat transfer and causes a burning smell.
- Lower the thermostat 7-10°F for 8 hours a day while asleep or away to save roughly 10% a year.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Delivers 2-3 times more heat per kWh than resistance baseboards, cutting heating cost 50-65%.
See options on AmazonAutomates setbacks and holds temperature tighter than mechanical thermostats.
See options on AmazonWe may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. It never changes the numbers we show. Disclosure.
Compare with similar appliances
| Appliance | Watts | Typical use | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric baseboard heater | 1,500 | 12 hours a day for 5 months a year | $49.28 | $246 |
| Wall heater | 1,500 | 8 hours a day for 5 months a year | $32.85 | $164 |
| Mini split heat pump (heating) | 1,100 | 14 hours a day for 5 months a year | $46.65 | $233 |
| Electric furnace | 15,000 | 24 hours a day for 5 months a year | $394 | $1,971 |
| Space heater | 1,500 | 6 hours a day for 5 months a year | $29.67 | $148 |
| Electric radiant floor heating | 600 | 6 hours a day for 7 months a year | $9.86 | $69 |
| Ceramic space heater | 1,500 | 6 hours a day for 5 months a year | $29.67 | $148 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run an electric baseboard heater per hour?
An electric baseboard heater drawing 1,500 watts uses 0.75 kWh per hour while running (50% duty cycle). At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 13¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 9.2¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 33¢.
How much does it cost to run an electric baseboard heater per month?
At typical use (12 hours a day for 5 months a year), an electric baseboard heater costs about $49.28 a month while in use and $246 a year over the 5 months it's typically used, at the U.S. average rate. Enter your ZIP in the calculator above for your utility's rate.
How many watts does an electric baseboard heater use?
Most electric baseboard heaters use 500 to 2,500 watts, depending on the setting (4 ft (1,000 w) 1,000 W, 6 ft (1,500 w) 1,500 W, 8 ft (2,000 w) 2,000 W). Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does an electric baseboard heater use?
About 9.00 kWh a day and 1,370 kWh a year at typical use (12 hours a day for 5 months a year).
Does an electric baseboard heater use a lot of electricity?
It's a moderate load: 1,370 kWh a year is about 13% of the average U.S. home's yearly use.
Is it cheaper to run an electric baseboard heater or a wall heater?
At typical use, an electric baseboard heater costs about $246 a year versus $164 for a wall heater. So the wall heater is cheaper by about $82 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running an electric baseboard heater?
- Replace old bimetal wall thermostats with electronic line-voltage thermostats; they hold temperature within 1°F instead of 3-4°F and typically cut use 5-10%.
- Set back unused rooms to 55-60°F and close their doors.
- Keep furniture and curtains at least 6-12 inches away so convection airflow is not blocked.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.